16/03/2023

  With a gentle NW breeze blowing I wasn't expecting an exciting sea watch, it didn't disappoint.

06.30-08.30 with SO from the sea watch hide.  Wind NW 1-2 Temp 9°

Brent Goose: 134E (9 parties)

Shoveler: 1E

Common Scoter: 17E   1W     

Great-crested Grebe: 1W    8 present 

Oystercatcher: 5E    1W

Black-headed Gull: 12E     

Mediterranean Gull: 1E 

Common Gull: 6E

Great Black-backed Gull:  present n/c

Herring Gull: present n/c

Sandwich Tern: 2E     

Guillemot: 12E   2W  16 present   

Auk sp: 4E       

Red-throated Diver: 26E    42W 

Fulmar: 1E      2W

Gannet: 37E    24W

Cormorant:  present n/c

Carrion Crow: 6 in off

Harbour Porpoise: 4

A brazen Mink at Denge Marsh early afternoon

A pleasant wander around Denge Marsh and the reserve late morning/early afternoon with Colin Turley in warm sunshine was mainly uneventful, apart from an encounter with a brazen Mink that literally trotted along the bridleway towards and past us by just a few feet. From Denge Marsh hide the Black-necked grebe was showing fairly well and 2 Goldeneye but not much else. Christmas Dell was as usual very quiet, though the new island creation works looks very promising, time will tell. Another Black-necked grebe and a great Northern Diver were the highlights from the old Makepiece viewpoint, plenty of Black-headed Gulls were dipping for insects but sadly no Little Gull. 

Elsewhere the Black-throated Diver was at southern end of the ARC, a few Wheatears were seen around the peninsular, also a few Chiffchaffs and Redwings but no big arrival.

Great Northern Diver on Burrowes

These 2 Common Gulls have been loafing at the northern end of Denge Marsh Flood for a few days now